AQW 8712/22-27

Mr Danny Donnelly
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 12/03/2024
Answered On Date: 26/03/2024
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, following meetings of the Respiratory Forum, for an update on progress towards a lung health strategy.

Answer:

Following the disruption caused by the pandemic, in 2023 a short-term working group of representatives from across the HSC, including Trusts, Primary Care and delegates from the three largest charities working in this area met to formulate a preliminary work programme for improvement.

The Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) and the Public Health Agency continue to lead this work through lead commissioning arrangements. It was agreed to reform the Respiratory Forum, a regional group, to oversee the development and progress of the work programme. The first meeting of the relaunched Respiratory Forum will take place in June/July 2024.

In order to manage the work programme in a time of constrained resource, it has been decided to split the focus of work into two tranches, with the first commencing in April/May 2024.

Working groups, co-chaired by clinical leaders across primary and secondary care, will convene to improve care pathways in the following areas in tranche one:

•Respiratory primary care/diagnostic pathways

•Interstitial Lung Disease

•Paediatric respiratory disease

•Asthma

The second tranche, to be launched in 2025, will focus on the following areas:

•COPD

•Non-invasive ventilation

•Sleep

•Home oxygen/community respiratory services

•Other areas including bronchiectasis, pulmonary rehabilitation and others